Last year Paul_C and I went on a two-day ride (out-and-back) to Cooper Lake state park. I'd take that route again except for two reasons.

1) There's no easy way to get to the other side of lake Lavon without using 78. Right now (with the construction), 78 is a death trap for any cyclist in my opinion. Won't do it...

2) It was about 80 miles each way and that was a bit too much for me on a loaded bike. I'd like to stick to 50-60 miles per day if possible.

So, I started browsing around for something different to try this fall. Possible targets included: Isle du Bois, Johnson Branch, Eisenhower State Park, Bonham State Park, Caddo Grasslands, Clear Lake Park (Princeton), and any camping spots along the NETT.

Decided on this:

Frisco, TX to Eisenhower SP – approx. 65 miles

Eisenhower SP to Isle du Bois SP – approx. 55 miles

Isle du Bois SP to Frisco, TX – approx. 30

This should give me plenty of time to eat, sight-see, and just enjoy myself along the way.

On to figuring out the route. Primarily road with the occasional gravel. I don't mind riding along major roadway (no highways); but, I'll try to veer off to adjacent back roads when possible.

Now just have to figure out when to go... It looks like most of our weekends in October are booked with family activities as well as the first two in November. I may just take a few days off of work and make the trip during a week sometime.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT ride your bike ElDorado through Little Elm. US380 shoulder is much better, IMHOP.

Or heck, take the greenbelt back from IDB.

Good info, thank you. Is there a sidewalk? I wanted to swing by Little Elm Craft House on the way back if possible.

I didn't think the greenbelt was open yet...

Part of the Greenbelt is open to FM428 already. The other section is passable, but all kinds of gunk was deposited on it, so they've closed it. I'm going to scout it soon, so I'll let you know.

Little Elm Craft House sounds like a fantastic idea. I believe there is some sidewalk, but not the whole way, but not until you get into central LE. From 380 south to there is all kinds of 2-way 55mph roads.

I did some recon on my Day 3 route. Eldorado actually has really nice sidewalk all along it. Would be no problem to ride there if traffic was bad.

720, however. Lawdy... No shoulder, two lane, 55mph.

I must find an alternate between the two red arrows...

There's a lot of construction (home building) in the area. And, from Google satellite maps, it appears they are building some roads (or at least there are existing dirt roads) for more options. If there's a connection near the yellow or green arrow, I'll be good to go...

I'll pack some additional food (oatmeal for breakfast, some snack'ish food). I do plan on stopping for lunch each day. I also need to add a change of clothes to the list. And, any bike repair items (spare tube, multi-tool, master link, etc.)

I'll have plenty of room in the anything bags for clothes/food. Actually, I'll have extra room in the seat pack, also. If I had a full-frame bag (one day), I could probably go without the anything bags at all....

If you take the trailer, get one of those 35 buck Axiom tail lights, and fix it to the trailer flagpole. Set it at 60 lumen flash setting, and it will be an effective rear daytime light. Nobody can miss seeing that.Works good at night, too.

If you take the trailer, get one of those 35 buck Axiom tail lights, and fix it to the trailer flagpole. Set it at 60 lumen flash setting, and it will be an effective rear daytime light. Nobody can miss seeing that.Works good at night, too.

That's a damn good idea, thank you. I have it well decorated with reflective tape; but, flashy stuff helps drivers notice for sure....

If you take the trailer, get one of those 35 buck Axiom tail lights, and fix it to the trailer flagpole. Set it at 60 lumen flash setting, and it will be an effective rear daytime light. Nobody can miss seeing that.Works good at night, too.

That's a damn good idea, thank you. I have it well decorated with reflective tape; but, flashy stuff helps drivers notice for sure....

There's even brighter blinkies out now, but at 60 lumens, I've had drivers behind me at red lights ask me to turn my tail light off, because it was bothering them. Well, that happened once....

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